Method for placing paper sheets between slices in a stack



Nov. 19, 1957 A M. E. TOBY METHOD FOR PLACING PAPER SHEETS BETWEENSLICES IN A STACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28

. QM Wm INVENTOR MM 5 TOBY BY TORNEYS Nov. 19, 1957 M. E. TOBY 2,813,798

METHOD FOR PLACING PAPER SHEETS BETWEEN SLICES IN A STACK Filed Jan. 28,1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MAX 5 755K ATTORNEYS Nov. 19, 1957 MTOBY- 2,813,798

E. METHOD FOR PLACING PAPER SHEETS BETWEEN SLICES IN A STACK Filed Jan.28, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Fig.3. 4' ,F-MX 575 W ATTORNEYS Nov.19, 1957 TOBY 2,813,798

METHOD FOR PLACING PAPER SHEETS BETWEEN SLICES IN A STACK Filed Jan. 28;1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR MAX 5 755) BY j ZAI' NEYS United StatesPatent IVIE'IHOD FOR PLACmG PAPER SHEETS BETWEEN SLICES IN A STACK MaxE. Toby, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Package Enterprises, Inc.,Oakland, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 28,1954, Serial No. 406,839

3 Claims. (Cl. 99-171) This invention relates to the handling of stackedarticles, such as meat or cheese slices, and is more particularlydirected towards a method and apparatus for inserting a sheet of paperor the like between adjacent slices in a stack as the stack is beingformed.

Heretofore, numerous mechanisms have been designed which have greatlyfacilitated the handling of stacked food products, including the baggingthereof. In general, such mechanisms have included a horizontallydisposed member, on which a slicer deposits a predetermined number ofslices, movable to an article discharge position for weighing, baggingor both. As typical examples of such apparatus, reference may be had toseveral of my copending applications, including Serial No. 250,370,filed October 8, 1951, now Patent No. 2,708,539 entitled Apparatus andMethod of Receiving and Bagging Articles,

Serial No. 396,630, filed December 7, 1953, entitled Ap paratus forReceiving, Conveying and Weighing Articles; and Serial No. 402,109,filed January 4, 1954, entitled Apparatus and Method for Receiving,Conveying, Weighing and Bagging Articles.

Notwithstanding the advantages created by use of the foregoing types ofmachines, it has been found that in the packaging of many types ofluncheon meats, cheeses, or similar products, it would be most desirableif a sheet of waxed paper or the like could be interleaved betweenadjacent slices, and still permit the use of mechanical conveying,weighing and bagging operations. Although the end result, i. e. apaper-interleaved stack of slices, is not of itself a complex problem,numerous problems are presented in the design of equipment for theproduction of the end result. One of the major difiiculties arises whenit is considered that a slicer of the type utilized with the previouslydiscussed equipment, cuts slices at the rate of approximately 250 perminute, thereby requiring the placing of four sheets of paper on fourslices during every second of operation. Furthermore, it will beappreciated that paper is extremely deformable, it acts as an air foil,and in general cannot be handled in the same manner a a more rigid andheavier product.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus for placing a sheet of paper or the like on the respectivetop slices of a stack as the stack is being formed whereby the finishedstack will have an insert between each slice thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus ofthe character described in which the sheets are cut to proper lengthbefore the placing thereof on a slice, and in which such sheets areinitially introduced along a substantially horizontal plane overlyingthe horizontal plane of the slice.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the typedescribed which utilizes a continuous roll of paper from which theindividual sheets are subsequently cut, and in which novel means areprovided for insuring proper tension on the paper during all phases ofthe operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide sheet feedingmechanism of the foregoing character in which the length of therespective sheets may be selectively varied.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the typereferred to which may be readily ultilized with stack handling apparatusof the character hereinabove mentioned without in any way interferingwith the proper operation of the latter.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet cuttingand sheet advancing mechanism which will insure optimum operation of theapparatus over continued and extended periods of time.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thetype described which may be operatively connected to a slicing mechanismwhereby sheets of paper will be delivered only during slicing operationsof the slicing mechanism.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing will be set forth in the following descriptionof the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in thedrawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to beunderstood, however, that variations in the showing made by the saiddrawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a paper interleaving apparatus embodyingthe present invention.

Figure 2 is side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, taken substantially in'the planeindicated by line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the cutting and feedingmechanism, the plane of the view being substandally indicated by theline 44 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view takensubstantially in the plane indicated by line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational view taken substantially in theplane indicated by line 66 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevational view partly broken away,illustrating the clutch mechanism controlling the forward drive rolls.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially in the planeindicated by line 88 of Figure 3.

The apparatus of the present invention was designed especially foroperation in conjunction with a conventional meat or cheese slicingmachine, whereby a sheet of paper or the like will be deposited overeach succeeding v slice of meat or cheese as it drops from the slicerupon a platform, such as the platform of a weighing and bag gingapparatus, of the type disclosed in my copending application, Serial No.402,109, filed January 4, 1954. It will become apparent, however, thatthis apparatus could be used in other installations where rapidinterleaving of paper between sliced objects is desirable.

As is well known in the art, an intermittent slicer is designed to cut apredetermined number of slices, e. g., eight, and then cease slicing fora measured time interval. so as to permit removal of the slices whichwere deposited in the form of a vertical stack. The apparatus presentlyto be described is arranged to deposit a sheet of paper on each slice ofmeat as it falls onto a supporting platform from the slicer until thelast slice falls on the stack, at which time the interleaving machineceases operation.

while the interleaved stack of slices is removed from In bmadterms, thepresent apparatus includes a cone;

tinuous source of paper supply, means for advancing the paper, a shearfor transversely cutting the paper into individual sheets for coveringthe respective slices in a stack, and means for delivering, the sheetsto the stack. For convenience of explanation, the supplying and feedingof the paper stock will first bediscussed.

Referring now to the drawings, means are provided establishing a papersupply and feed mechanism for the subsequently formed individual papersheets to be interleaved between the slices. As here shown, a roll ofpaper 12 of a predetermined width is mounted on a mandrel- 13, journaledinbrackets 14 which are secured to a pair of horizontal frame members 16and 17. The latter are bolted totransverse angle members 18, which maybe provided. with necessary support means and a housing; not shown. Alsobolted or otherwisesecured to the horizontal frame members 16 and 17 area pairof diagonal frame members 19 and 21 on which are mounted means foradvancing the paper, means for maintainingconstant tension on the paper,and means for cutting the paper to. the desired. length, all. of whichwill presently be described.

The free end of the paper 12, after leaving the-mandrel 13;extendsdownwardly to pass around-apaper tensioning' roll 22, later tobe'described, then upwardly, between-and generally parallel with. thediagonal frame members 19' and,21. Toward. the upper end of' thediagonal frame members there is providedapair. of spaced paper advancingmeans generally. indicatedby the numerals Hand paper 12 therebetween,whereby uponrotation of the;

rolls, the, paper will be pulledfrom itsfeed roll andfed past the rollsupwardly along its path of travel. paper isthen passed over a knurled.and roughened intermediate drive roll 26 from. which, it is fed betweenthe:

second or rear one of such advancing means which in" cludesa pair ofdrive rolls 27 and 28 disposed one immediately above the other. laterexplained, serve to pull the paper upward,.and after the cutter whichispositioned intermediate the rolls 15.

and 20 has cut the paper, further serves to feedor push the cut portionor sheet forward horizontally whereit:

falls over the slice of meat just deposited on the receiving platform.

Forward drive rolls 23 and 24 are. carried on, shafts:

29 and 31 respectively. In order to maintain the desired pressurebetween upper and lower rolls 23 and 2.4 for positively driving thepaper forward at the required speed, the ends of shaft 29 are journaledin roller tensioning yokes 32. Yokes 32 are carried by frame members'19and 21 and include blocks slidably engaged in. the yokes and adjustablypositionable thereon by means of bolts 30. As-will be'understood, shaft29 is journalled inthe blocks, and as the latter are moved, the clampingpressure on the paper may be selectively varied. Shaft 31 is journaledin bearings provided on the diagonal frame members 19 and 21, and oneend of the shaft extends beyonddiagonal frame member 21 so as to permitoperative connection to a suitable drive mechanism. Such mechanismincludes a gear 33 rotatably mounted on said shaft end, in engagementwith a segment gear 34-which is mounted on a stub shaft 36, journaled ona bracket 37 secured to horizontal frame member 17, all of which will behereinafter discussed in detail, as the paper movement is directlycontrolled through the-motion of the segment gear.

Driving power is supplied to segment gear34-through a link,38, thevupper end'of which is pivoted at the lower peripheralyportion of gear34-while the other end of the link is pivotally attached to oneextremity of a rockenarm 39. The opposite end'of rocker arm 33 ispivotedlto an adjustable bracket 41 carried by diagonal frame member 21.An intermediate portion'ofrocker arm 39 is slotted The= These latter,rolls, as will. be.

to slideably receive a block 42 to which is pivoted a crank 43 mountedon a shaft 44 which is driven by a motor 46. Shaft 44 is synchronizedwith the slicer and timed to make one complete revolution in a counterclockwse direction for each slice of meat that is deposited on theplatform. Therefore, through the above described linkage, segment gear34 rotates about its stud shaft 36 in a counter clockwise direction forsomewhat over half the revolution of shaft 44, then in a clockwisedirection for the remainder of therevolution. It will be understoodhowever, that the arc of travel of gear 34 will be equal in bothdirections of its rotation, only the rate of rotation being different.

Means are provided tooperate drive rolls 23', 24, 26, 27 and 28 therebyadvancing the paper on the aforesaid counterclockwise rotation ofsegment gear 34. Such means may include a friction clutch 47 carried onshaft 31 adjacent gear 33, the latter serving as an intermediate drivefor all of the above mentioned rolls. Secured to the freely journalledgear 33 is a clutch plate or disk 48 on the inner surface of which ispivotally mounted a block 49, while a clutch housing 51 is keyed toshaft 31 in any suitable manner. A roller 52 is disposed within theclutch housing and as gear 33 is rotated clockwise as indicated inFigure 7, roller 52 is wedged between the block 49 and the housing 51causing the two clutch elements and hence the shaft 31' carrying driveroll 24 to revolve together. As soon as the direction of rotation ofgear 33 is reversed (during clockwise rotation of segment gear 34) theroller is freed from its contact with the block and the clutch platemoves in a counter clockwise direction independent of the shaft. Thus,upon the down stroke of link' 38, no motion will be imparted to gear 33,and consequently all of the drive rolls will remain stationary.

Drive rolls 23 and 24 are arranged for simultaneous rotation through:gears 53 and 54. These drive rolls are likewise geared to the gear driverolls 27 and 28 by means of 'a gear train consisting of a miter gear 56secured to shaft 31 engaging at right angles a miter gear 57 carried onthe iower'end of'a shaft 58 spaced from, but parallel with diagonalframe member 21. Securedto the upper end of shaft 58 is another bevelgear 59 engaging a bevel gear 61 which. is carried by a shaft 62 onwhich the rear lower roll 28 is mounted. Rear upper drive roll 27 iscarried'on a shaft 60 which is journaled in eccentric bearings indiagonal frame members 19 and 21, such bearings permitting adjustment ofroll 27 towards and from its co-operating roll 28; Drive rolls 27 and 28are geared together. through gears 63 and 64 respectively.

The intermediate knurled roll 26 is driven by a gear 66 through an idlergear 67, and gear 64. Thus, when segment gear 34 isrotatedcounterclockwise, the rolls 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28 will likewisebe rotated to drive the paper as previously explained; However, when thesegment gear 34'reverses, that is, rotates in a clockwise direction,all'of such drive rolls remain stationary because the clutch no longerengages the shaft 31. In order to insure against clockwise rotation ofshaft 31 upon reversal of the segment gear, a roller 68 is disposedexteriorly of clutch housing 51, which, when the segment gear commencesclockwise rotation, binds against a block 69 mounted on diagonal framemember 21 holding the clutch housing and consequently the shaft 31stationary. I

From the foregoing, the mechanism for advancing the paper from the rollto the sheet discharge rolls will be understood. However, as previouslymentioned, means pair of radially extending rods 76. The shaft extendsbetween the diagonal frame members, and upon oscillation thereof, theblade is caused to move across the plane of paper movement and effect acutting of the paper. In order to produce a clean cut, the leading edgeof blade 70 is beveled and sharpened to form a cutting surface 72, whichupon actuation of the blade cooperates with an adjustably positionedknife 73 having a beveled portion 74 disposed adjacent roll 23 tocleanly shear the paper.

Actuation of the cutting blade is efiected by oscillation of shaft 71which carries at one end thereof a lever 75. The latter is driven by alink 76 whose lower end is pivoted to another crank 77 which is carriedby the previously discussed shaft 44. Thus, as each slice is cut andshaft 44 makes a single revolution, the paper will be'cut to produceanother sheet for deposit upon the slice. Looking now at Figure 5, itwill be seen that during counterclockwise rotation of segment gear 34,the cutter blade has been rotating in a counterclockwise direction untilit has reached the dotted line position somewhat in advance to segmentgear 34 reaching the end of its counterclockwise travel. Through itsassociated linkage, cutter blade 70 then reverses its direction ofrotation and by the time sector gear has reached the end of itscounterclockwise travel the cutter blade is at the dot and dashposition. Then, upon clockwise rotation of the segment gear, the bladecontinues upwardly in a clockwise direction engaging paper 12 betweenbevel edge 74 of the knife 73 and cutting edge 72 of the shearing blade70, thereby cutting the paper through. Clockwise rotation of shearingblade 70 continues until the full line position of Figure is reachedwhen direction of travel reverses to the position shown in Figure 4where the apparatus is shown in condition to start a new cycle ofoperation.

' Therefore it will be seen that as a new cycle commences, the sheet ofpaper 82 cut at the end of the last operative cycle is driven forward byrolls 27 and 28 and expelled in a horizontal plane over the loadingplatform which carries the recently deposited slice of meat. At the sametime rolls 23 and 24 are advancing paper 12 immediately behind sheet 82so that when sheet 82 has completely left rolls 27 and 28 the leadingedge of paper 12 has been advanced slightly beyond rolls 27 and 28 andthe paper adjacent blade 70 is in a position to be cut. As will beapparent, while the paper is at rest, that is, when the rolls are notadvancing it, the slicer blade is cutting another slice of meat whichfalls onto the previously deposited sheet of paper.

Adjustment of knife 73 in relation to cuttting blade 70 is providedthrough adjustable brackets 78 which carry knife 73. Brackets 78 areslotted to receive pins 79 which are carried on a fixed block 90, andthe upper portions of the pins threadedly engage nuts 95. Set screws 80are threaded into the brackets 78 and bear against pins 79, and byadjustment of such means, the knife may be moved from and towards thegeneral plane of movement of the blade and thereby control the shearingaction.

Means are provided independent of the paper drive rolls for supportingand guiding the paper and the cut sheets thereof along its path ofmovement. For example, supporting plates 83 and 84 may be welded orotherwise secured between diagonal frame members 19 and 21 immediatelysubjacent the path of paper movement to support the paper from driverolls 23 and 24 to a freely rotatable roll 86 carried on cutter shaft 71just forward of the knurled roll 26. These plates are preferably spacedapart just enough to permit passage of blade 70 therebetween. Anothersupporting plate 87 may be secured just beyond the drive roll 28 intangential relation to the confronting surfaces of rolls 27 and 28 tomaintain sheet 82 in a horizontal position for expulsion over theplatform. Also, an arcuate guide plate 85 may be positioned to engagethe upper surface of the paper and guide the latter between the rearrolls 27 and 28.

The length of paper to be cut may be varied by 111-" creasing ordecreasing the length of travel of segment gear 34, which effects acomparable change in the amount of drive roll rotation, which therebyadvances a larger or lesser length of paper during each cycle ofoperation. To permit such variation, adjustable bracket 41 is providedwith slots 93 through which pass bolts 94 threadedly secured to diagonalframe member 21. arm 39 is pivoted to bracket 41, movement of bracket 41to the right or left, as viewed in Figure 2 will respectively lengthenor shorten the arc of travel of rocker arm 39, and the stroke of link 38which drives the segment gear will be likewise varied. In this way, bymaking a simple sliding adjustment of bracket 41, the amount of paperadvance for each rotation of shaft 44 is conveniently controlled.

As previously mentioned, shaft 44 is driven by motor 46 and such drivingis accomplished in the following manner. As shown in Figure 3, a wormgear 96 is rotatably mounted on shaft 44 and engages a worm 97 securedto-a shaft 98 on which is mounted a sheave 99.

44- until the slicer is again ready to deliver slices to the platformand thus require the feeding of the paper sheets. It is for this reasonthat no constant positive drive is provided between the motor and shaft44, and instead, a

clutch mechanism is utilized which is arranged to selectively place theshaft and motor into and out of driving engagement. Preferably, theclutch is placed into operative position upon receiving a suitableimpulse from the slicer that the latter is engaged in its cuttingoperation, and is likewise placed in inoperative position upon receivinganother impulse from the slicer that the latter has ceased its slicing.

With particular reference to Figure 3, it will be seen that the clutchmechanism includes a left hand clutch portion 122 which forms anextension of the freely journalled worm gear 96, and a right handportion 121 which is keyed or otherwise secured to shaft 44 for rotationtherewith, but which is capable of axial movement along the shaft. Theportions are provided With clutch teeth which are normally urgedtogether by means of a spring 123 seated in aligned bores provided inportion 121 and a fixed collar element 126. Another set of axiallyaligned bores in the collar and portion 121 receives a pin for guidingsaid portion. When the portion 121 is urged into engagement with portion122, it will be understood that rotation of worm 97 will be imparted toshaft 44 through gear 96, clutch portion 122, and clutch portion 121.Such engagement is provided when the slicer is operating, and it will benecessary to effect disengagement of the clutch portions upon theceasing of the slicing operation.

Means are provided for selectively placing the clutch portions into andout of engagement upon receiving corresponding impulses from the slicer.As here indicated, a solenoid 104 is mounted on the diagonal framemember 21, and upon slicer operation, a microswitch on the latter iscaused to energize the solenoid, causing a solenoid arm 106 to moveupwardly as viewed in Figure 3. A pair of links 107 at one end arepivotally attached to the lower portion of the solenoid arm 106, and theother ends are pivoted to the apex 108 of a pair of hell cranks in theform of triangular plate members 109. A fixed pivot 111, at the uppercorner of hell cranks 109 is journaled to frame members 112, mountedbetweenthe diagonal members 19 and 21. A third pivot 113 at the lowercorner of bellcranks 109 and substantially below fixed pivot Sincerocker 1:17 passes; through the left hand end of block. 116'. and

is journaled in. members" 112-. The right hand end of block. 116carries. a lug. 118 that engages a pin 1=1 9-mount= ed on the. righthand clutch portion 121. Therefore, when solenoid 104 is energized thearm 106 is retracted and the linkage-rotates; the lug-118-about fixedpivot117 away frompin 119-, permitting the right hand clutch portion 121tobe forced into engagement with the leftihand clutch portion 122-throughthe actionof the-springs 123. When the: solenoid is de-energized,such as by receiving an impulse that: the slicer has ceased operationthe arm 106 isextended and the aforementioned linkage results in thelug: 118 bearing against the: clutch pin 119 and forcing the two clutchportions apart, resulting in no movement being. imported to the shaft44, and consequently no advancing of the paper.

In; view of the-intermittent advancing of the paper, it is difficult tomaintain the same under constant tension conditions. Therefore, asanimportant feature of this invention, and in order to maintain smoothcontinuous unrolling. of paper 12 and parallel movement thereof, I haveprovideda tensioning roll 22 disposed intermediate the paper supply rolland the forward feed rolls and around which the paper is. fed; Such rollis journaled on a shaft 127 on either end of which are secured gears 128which engage racks 129 mounted on diagonal frame members 19 and 21.Gears 128, and hence roll 22, are caused to move upward along racks 129due to the pulling-action of the paper as the latter is being advancedby the drive rolls during counterclockwise rotation of segment gear 34.However, upon opposite rotation of gear 34,v and resulting-stoppage ofthe paper movement, ate'nsion spring 131 urges the gears androlldownwardly, thereby effectively keeping the paper taut during. thecutting-operation, and permitting thepaper 12 to continuously unrollfrom the mandrel 13. As here-shown, one end ofjtens-ion spring 131 isconnected to a rod 132 carried by. two lugs 133 journaled to shaft 127,and the other end of the tension spring is connected. to an adjustingscrew 134 threaded through atransverse plate. 136 bolted or otherwisesecured to the lower extremities of diagonal frame members 19 and 21,permitting adjustably varied tension loads to be applied to the paper.

The interleaving machine as disclosed herein is particularly welladapted to operate in conjunction with my previously mentioned receivingand weighing apparatus. As here illustrated, the horizontally movablevane 137 of the receiving and weighing mechanism is the platform onwhich are deposited the slices of meat. As the paper sheets 82 areforcibly expelled horizontally from drive rolls- 27 and 28, they willtend to shoot forward while gravitationally-falling downward, and willhit the wiper mechanism 138 of the receiving and weighing apparatus, theforce of which will tendto bounce the sheet 82 back toward-theinterleaver. In order to retain the paper within the bounds of thestacked meat I have provided a' pair of vertical stop members 139, andit is believed that the sheet bounces between the members 139 andmechanism 138 until its forward momentum is'dispelled, or until thesheet falls upon the slice. Members 139 are shown as constitutingupstanding portions of two bellcranks 141 pivotally mounted in spacedrelation on the lower surface of each vane 137. Substantially below thevertical stop members 135! and mounted on the bell cranks 141 arerollers 142 which engagev a cam surface 143 secured to a transverseframe member mounted on diagonal frame members 19 and 21. Springs144-are attached topins 146 secured to the lower surface of vane 137 andto legs 147 of bell cranks 141. Thus, when the rollers 142. engage camsurface 143,.the vertical stop members 139 are forced into. cut out.portions 148. of vane 137, and thus-provide. means. to maintain the:paperv .withinthe area-1 of. meat; deposit.

When the vane; 13.7 rotates. the;

remove thestack to another. station,,however,;rollers 142. becomedisengaged from: cam. surface. 1.43, and the ver.= ticalstop members139. swing; ontwardlyr away, from: the. outer periphery of .vane-.137,inorderto clear the mechaanisnr. of. the receiving; and weighing:apparatus" With the foregoingconstructional and operational. de.- tailsexplained, the. over-all cycle: of. operation. of the. ap. paratusshould be clear. However, the operation. will. now be discussed in:further. detail.

A. roll, of paper'is-placed omrnarrdrel 13 and theendfed around tensionroll 22, between forwardtdrive;rollsr23- and 24, over roll 2.6,,andbetweemthereardischarge rolls- 27 and 23.. With; the mechanisminthe.position shown. in Figurefi, the'rnotor may bar started, but astheclutch: portions are .disengageino rotary movementwillbe. im.-- partedto the. main drive'.shaft-.44,, and consequently, no; advancing orcuttingofithe paper results; It will of-courser be understood that: therotationalspeedlofz shaftA l must' be synchronized withlthe.speedmftheslicenasgsuch shaft-; is required tomake; a completetrevolutionas.each slice in. a stack is deposited. Accordingly, the. motor. assembly46 or the. pulleys connected. theretomay/be. of..the. variespeedtype,.or' other; controls well k-nown inthe art, may be incorporated.to.- permit proper. speed ofrotationz. While it: might: betheoretically' possible to' have. the sole-.- noid. 1041 actuatedrupmrthe. delivery. of. each. slice, this. would cause. the paper to beundesirably. intermittently unrolledfrom the-mandrel 13, rather. thanpermitting. the continuous feedarrangement; as. disclosed herein.

Upon. the deposit ofslices upon.the.receiving,platform,, the shaft 44commences rotating, andinthe instant 3P)" paratus, the shaft is.actuated through the solenoid l04-- which, through the describedlinkage, causes operative en--- gagernenti ofthe clutch portions andresulting. rotation of. shaft 44.

A: simple. rotation of shaft 44-elfects' a verticalreciprocatingmovement on link 38' through crank 43 and rocker arm 39,andsuch movement. is transmitted to segmentv gear 34, causingthe latterto first rotate counter-clockwise and thenclockwise. for anadjustably.controlled length of: arc. Upon the counter-clockwise rotation of thegear all of the drive rollsare operatively connected therewith. toadvance the paper, and therpreviously cut paper sheet will be ejectedfrom the discharge rolls. When gear 34 commences its clockwise rotation,the drive rolls are operatively disconnected and cutting blade 72 isswungabout. its shaft to transversely shear the paper through the actionof cranks and 77 and link 76 which is actuated by rotation of driveshaft 44.

As will be understood, once the paper has been cut, the nextcycle ofoperation constitutes a pulling and ejectionactionon the cutsheet byrolls 27 and 28, and a pushing action on the free. endof! the paperstrip. willbe dis;- posed immediately adjacent" thetrailing. edge ofvthe cut sheet until the latter is finally discharged over the article;slice.

The apparatus is capable of; rapid. positive. sheet. de-- livery, andby. meansof the tension roller 22, the. paper: mandrel. is permitted. torotate. continuously during the complete cycle of. the selected-numberof sheets, thereby insuring. uniform tensionon thepaper atall times.

What is claimed is:.

1. The method of interleaving paper sheets between. adjacent slices of afood productwhich comprises receiving such slices at a substantiallyconstant rate in vertical-- ly. superimposedrelation to provideastackthereof, feeding a strip of paper towards the. slices from a papersup-.- ply roll, intermittently pulling on the unrolled end portion I ofsaid strip so as to advance the. latter towards said slices. in timedrelation to the reception thereof, transversely: cutting said strip uponstoppageof saidintermittent pulling to provide a cut sheet of paper, andthen ejecting said: out sheet. alonga generally. horizontal pathto fallupon a just'received food .slice.

2. A. method of: inserting paper; sheetsbetweenadjav cent slices of afood product during formation of a stack of such slices, includingreceiving such slices at a substantially constant rate in verticallysuperimposed relation to form said stack, feeding a paper strip towardssaid slices from a paper supply roll, continuously pulling on andmaintaining substantially uniform tension on an intermediate unrolledportion of said strip, intermittently pulling on the unrolled endportion of said strip so as to advance such end portion towards theslices in timed relation to the reception thereof, transversely cuttingsaid 10 strip upon stoppage of said intermittent pulling to provide acut sheet of paper, and then ejecting said out sheet along a generallyhorizontal path to fall upon a just received food slice.

3. A method of inserting paper sheets between adjacent slices of a foodproduct during formation of a stack of such slices, including receivingsuch slices at a substantially constant rate in vertically superimposedrelation to form said stack, feeding a paper strip towards said slicesfrom a paper supply roll, intermittently pulling on the unrolled endportion of said strip so as to advance the latter towards said slices intimed relation to the reception of each of the food slices, transverselycutting said strip to provide a paper sheet upon each stoppage of saidintermittent pulling, and then advancing said cut sheet along agenerally horizontal path overlying the 10 slices being received uponthe next intermittentpulling of said strip and depositing said sheet onthe last received slice.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS517,558 Ward Apr. 3, 1894 571,292 Sweet Nov. 10, 1896 751,560 RobinsonFeb. 9, 1904 925,097 Harris et a1 June 15, 1909 1,235,805 Jennings Aug.7, 1917 1,262,189 Froehlich Apr. 9, 1918 1,400,777 Spiess Dec. 20, 19212,113,239 Petskeyes Apr. 5, 1938 2,136,521 Petskeyes Nov. 15, 19382,224,390 Holley Dec. 10, 1940 2,254,097 Wood Aug. 26, 1941 2,380,267Ruth July 10, 1945 2,430,281 Eaton et al Nov. 4, 1947 2,530,061 HolleyNov. 14, 1950 2,530,062 Holley Nov. 14, 1950 2,539,602 Wehr Jan. 30,1951 2,585,076 Bandura et a1. Feb. 12, 1952 2,615,714 Ford Oct. 28, 19522,683,557 Jenney July 13, 1954

1. THE METHOD OF INTERLEAVING NANER SHEETS BETWEEN ADJACENT SLICES OF AFOOD PRODUCTS WHICH COMPRISES RECEIVING SUCH SLICES AT A SUBSTANTIALLYCONSTANT RATE IN VERTICALLY SUPERIMPOSED RELATION TO PROVIDE A STACKTHEREOF, FEEDING A STRIP OF PAPER TOWARDS THE SLICES FROM A PAPER SUPPLYROOL, INTERMITTENTLY PULLING ON THE UNROLLED END PROTION OF SAID STRIPSO AS TO ADVANCE THE LATTER TOWARDS SAID SLICES IN TIMED RELATION TO THERECEPTION THEREOF, TRANSVERSELY